SPIRE, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and the Big Ten have enjoyed an excellent relationship as SPIRE has hosted the Championships for the last six years. By utilizing SPIRE’s Indoor Track & Field Facility, one of the largest and most technologically advanced in the country, the Big Ten will once again host both the men’s and women’s championships together in 2020. “The Big Ten looks forward to returning to SPIRE for the 2020 Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships,” said Big Ten Associate Commissioner for Sports Administration Wendy Fallen. “The SPIRE Institute has been an excellent host of this event, and we are confident that our students and coaches will have a great experience.”

Designated as a US Olympic and Paralympic training site, SPIRE Institute has a 240,000 sq. ft. indoor Track &amp; Field Complex. An eight-lane, 300-meter Beynon synthetic track surface with 150-meter straightaway’s, sets the stage for easy set-up and execution of any track event. For field events, the facility features two high jump pits, two long jump pits, two pole vault pits, and multiple throws areas, all which do not interfere with the track action. Utilizing an Olympic-standard custom Lynx timing and scoring system, event results are posted quickly and accurately. The facility seats up to up to 5,000 spectators and features dynamic views of the entire track. A 25,000 square foot glass-encased banquet, hospitality and meeting space with gourmet dining options provides an ideal location to enjoy the event and allows participants to never have to leave the complex. “SPIRE is so pleased to have been able to extend our relationship with the Big Ten to host their Indoor Track & Field Championships for the 2020 Event,” said Jeff Orloff, the Chief Operating Officer at SPIRE Institute. “This has been a terrific partnership and we look forward to hosting another great event.”

“We’re excited to host future Big Ten Track & Field Championships with our valued partners at SPIRE Institute,” said David Gilbert, President & CEO of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. “This event has been well received in Northeast Ohio for the past six years and we can’t wait to welcome it back in 2020.”

About the Big Ten Conference:

The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,500 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 or men and 14 for women, including the addition of men's ice hockey and men's and women's lacrosse since 2013.

For more information, visit www.bigten.org.

About Greater Cleveland Sports Commission:

Since 2000, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (GCSC) is responsible for attracting more than 190 sporting events which provide nearly $570 million in economic activity to Northeast Ohio. GCSC supports the local economy, utilizes sports as a vehicle to forward community agendas and maintains a goal of producing events that are more successful when held in Cleveland than in other cities.

For more information, visit clevelandsports.org.To learn more about Greater Cleveland Sports Commission or to keep up-to- date on new developments and activities follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

About SPIRE Institute:

SPIRE Institute, in Geneva, Ohio, integrates sports and education, training and wellness with a focus on the development of the whole self. It features 750,000 sq. ft. of Olympic grade facilities under roof, acres of outdoor fields and a multi-sport stadium complex. SPIRE and its nationally renowned coaches offer residential high school and post grad academy programs, summer and holiday camps, and weekend training sessions in soccer, track and field, volleyball, swimming and basketball. Junior athletes train alongside collegians, professionals, wounded veterans, Olympians, Paralympians and masters level athletes. SPIRE features athletic development programs with SPIRE Performance, mental skills training, sports medicine, nutrition and wellness programs, and a variety of customized high school and collegiate academic options. SPIRE can simultaneously host clubs, leagues, tournaments and championship events, in multiple sports, no matter the weather or the season.